House passes Show Me Health Care

Intro: The Missouri House passed a bill that was deemed the last vehicle for health care. Rebecca Beitsch (BYE-tch) has more from the state Capitol. RunTime:0:48
OutCue: SOC

The House chose to adopt a bill that would provide health coverage to 20,000 Missourians deemed uninsurable because of preexisting conditions.

But the bill passed by a narrow margin due to what the bill handler and others called a lack of transparency.

Liberty Republican Tim Flook said information about hospital procedures is the only way to lower prices.

Actuality: QUALITY.WAV

Run Time: 00:15

Description: "We have a system that is price blind and quality silent. And we have a health care consumer, individuals and employers that don't have the information to make decisions based on price and quality like we do in so many other areas."

Bill handler Doug Ervin said that by voting for the bill, the House showed that the Missouri Hospital Association owns the body.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: The Missouri House passed a bill that would expand health coverage for Missourians but would also provide for testing of welfare recipients. Rebecca Beitsch (BYE-tch) has more from the state Capitol. RunTime:0:52
OutCue: SOC

The bill says it will expand coverage to 20,000 Missourians who go without coverage due to preexisting conditions.

But thanks to an added amendment, the bill now also allows for recipients of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to be drug tested and reduces how much they get monthly.

The measure was strongly opposed by Jeff Roorda who says the loss of money will punish the children in the family more than the drug-abusing parent.

Actuality: ROORDA.WAV

Run Time: 00:08

Description: "I really hope this amendment passes. It makes a bad bill even worse, and also makes it unconstitutional."

Roorda urged his colleagues to vote the amendment down and not punish children for the sins of their parents.

The amendment sponsor, Ellen Brandom, already had similar legislation pass the House, but said she sponsored the amendment as a backup plan.

From Jefferson City, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: The Missouri House passed a health care bill giving coverage to those with preexisting conditions. Rebecca Beitsch (BYE-tch) has more from the state Capitol. RunTime:0:46
OutCue: SOC

The House version of the bill would give health insurance to 20,000 Missourians who are too sick to buy health insurance. The Senate version gives health care to 35,000 parents too rich for Medicaid.

Some House members voted for the bill saying they have full faith that a conference committee will draft a quality bill.

But Republican Rob Schaaf said he doesn't trust the conference to uphold the House position of insuring the uninsurable.

Actuality: SCHAAF.WAV

Run Time: 00:12

Description: "It's going to go to conference committee. They'll rip off the coverage for the uninsurable and they'll put on coverage for lazy, irresponsible adults."

The House and Senate will have to agree to go to conference later this week.

From the state Capitol, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: The Missouri House passed a bill giving health insurance to Missourians with preexisting conditions. Rebecca Beitsch (BYE-tch) has more from the state Capitol. RunTime:0:36
OutCue: SOC

The Missouri House passed a bill giving health coverage to 20,000 Missourians with preexisting conditions.

But the previous Senate version of the bill gave coverage to 35,000 parents who make too much to qualify for Medicaid.

Bill handler Kevin Wilson said he sees the difference this way:

Actuality: WILSON1.WAV

Run Time: 00:09

Description: "Their plan was based on income. Our plan is based on health need. And I think that's the biggest difference."

The House and Senate will have to agree to go to conference before a new version of the bill can be drafted.

From Jefferson City, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.